As always when the CBA expires, there will be a freebie buyout window for all teams to clean up some stuff.

And after that there will be the opportunity to watch some kid who career wise couldn't carry #7's jockstrap.
- RickJ

Hey, great point about the buyout window once the CBA expires. I never thought of that. And I agree....there will come a time around 2025 when we all will be aching for the days of Kane, Toews, Hossa, Keith, Seabs, Hammer and Crawford. As a White Sox fan that is how I look upon the days of 2005 now. Cub fans are lucky as they are looking at the Cubs the way we were looking at the Hawks in 2010. Cubs are built to last quite a few years.

And you forget the Darling won the Nashville series when Crawford was BRUTAL!!!
- Goalie-33

Methinks we have a L(n)SD fan in the house! And welcome to you.

Palat has also gotten some Selke votes. I'm not sure why TB would come off him unless they are just that desperate to shed salary and acquire assets.

I still think Duchene is the guy you throw the kitchen sink at and deal with the consequences later. I can't believe they would trade him in the division but at this point the Avs probably have to take the best they can get if they're really going to blow it all up and start over again.

Dutch probably puts them over the edge regardless of what they give up. Certainly, the top team in the west. Being able to load up two lines or run Toews AA and Dutch all up the middle would be tough for any team to contain.

I still think 75% of their success in the post season hinges on how dominating Duncan Keith can be. If he isn't jumping the zone and eating guys up in the corners then they may have trouble against deeper teams.
- fattybeef

As usual, good post. Agreed all the way.

https://t.co/cEinXSFNDq

Article by LeBrun on the more public comments from SB.

Solid blog as usual....

LIke their game of late but cautious as 1) they aren't as good as they look when they are on fire, or as bad as they look when they drop 3-4 in a row. Somewhere in the middle lies the true version of this team, and getting more consistency will be the biggest challenge the last 25 games.

Hawks sent a ton of guys of down for more games with the hogs, but most importantly to bank the almost 500K in cap space for the deadline. 2) Then again, they aren't making any trades........

3) Lastly, I cringe when I see biased tweets like that from Jud S pointing out skewed out stats when looking at Panik vs Saad. Just a moronic thing to do as I would bet my soul if you place 20 instead of 14 on this team, he produces MORE and 14 would produce LESS on Columbus........funny how Jud didn't go down the Nick Leddy avenue who is at 31 points, with 9 goals and playing very well.

Dont' count out the blues.......talented teams with veterans who get in-season coaching shakeups usually go on a little run.......Fascinating to watch Nash vs STL for the 3rd spot in the central the rest of the way.
- SteveRain

1) Yep
2) Ha, right.
3) That is ridiculous. I like me some Richard Panik—for what he is, a faster, bigger but slightly less skilled, less versatile version of Andrew Shaw, minus the homophobic slurs and f-bombs.

I disagree. We did not sign Seabrook to a long term deal, and give him a NTC/NMC...to trade him away. That makes no sense. Same with Kane, Toews, Crawford, Panarin, Hossa, Keith, Hammer. None of those guys are going anywhere. But this is a "rumor" blog so people like to make wild trades with these guys. And all these guys have NTC/NMC so they won't be going anywhere. Kruger and/or the young guys are guys that would be moved at the trade deadline.
- onehundredlevel

Crawford, I am pretty sure, has a .limited NTC in effect now—as in, he has to submit a list if asked to do so. Which I will tell you is a possibility in late June. Otherwise, you are correct. And no, Crawford will not be dealt before the deadline.

The beauty of it is, no one here has to pay him...Rocky does.
- HawkintheD

^^^^^

https://t.co/cEinXSFNDq

Article by LeBrun on the more public comments from SB.
- JRoenick97

Some GM-speak BS in there, but this last part i think is quite true:

"We're trying to win the Cup this year, absolutely, but it's not predicated upon a rental," said Bowman. "So I think that narrative is just false.''

My info. is the team would like to go big for a guy who will be around in 2017-2018, and possibly even beyond. That part he is not talking about as directly, but that is the main goal right now.

wrong quote. This is about Panik vs. Shaw.


Hehe. This is just conjecture, but I'm sure he's got quite a mouth on him judging by how quickly opposing players try to jump him. He seems to enjoy making the other team turn purple.

1) Yep
2) Ha, right.
3) That is ridiculous. I like me some Richard Panik—for what he is, a faster, bigger but slightly less skilled, less versatile version of Andrew Shaw, minus the homophobic slurs and f-bombs.
- John Jaeckel

I keep on saying it but if you look at the actual coverage of this team from a beat writer perspective it's a joke. It really is. Myers, Jud are direct Hawk employees and thus everything you get from them you take with a grain of salt.

I stopped following Lazerus. Kuc is all over the board.....so I dont' have much coverage as a fan.

Furthermore, how ridiculously and SAD is it that LeBrun can get a 1 on 1 with Bowman and NO scribe can? Not one....not even a senior one, but Lebrun nationally has more insight on a team he doesn't even cover then every single scribe that does. If I'm their editor what the hell am I paying them for and all those travel expenses?

Some GM-speak BS in there, but this last part i think is quite true:

"We're trying to win the Cup this year, absolutely, but it's not predicated upon a rental," said Bowman. "So I think that narrative is just false.''

My info. is the team would like to go big for a guy who will be around in 2017-2018, and possibly even beyond. That part he is not talking about as directly, but that is the main goal right now.
- John Jaeckel

Which makes sense if he has to give up a young piece then he wants a bigger bang for his buck....

Wouldn't surprise me to see them start to entertain Hartman. They will probably lose him in the expansion draft. If they can land a big guy who is signed for more then 90 days, it might make sense.

I'd hate to give him up, but could come down to numbers.....unless you see the note about getting guys to agree to waive NTC/NMC for the expansion draft to be eligible and if NOT taken, the clause kicks right back in........

I keep on saying it but if you look at the actual coverage of this team from a beat writer perspective it's a joke. It really is. Myers, Jud are direct Hawk employees and thus everything you get from them you take with a grain of salt.

I stopped following Lazerus. Kuc is all over the board.....so I dont' have much coverage as a fan.

Furthermore, how ridiculously and SAD is it that LeBrun can get a 1 on 1 with Bowman and NO scribe can? Not one....not even a senior one, but Lebrun nationally has more insight on a team he doesn't even cover then every single scribe that does. If I'm their editor what the hell am I paying them for and all those travel expenses?
- SteveRain

LeBrun is getting it because what Bowman is saying is something he wants the other 29 teams to hear.

ANYONE assuming his statements that they likely won't to make a deal are anything but bargaining is insane. Think about it. If he came out and admitted: "We're pursuing a lot of trade options to acquire a top 6 forward."

1) It sets the bar of expectation of fans and the organization high—and he might not meet it
2) It possibly sends the wrong message to the team right now—a distraction
3) It underscores the tough position he's already in trying to get a deal

Which makes sense if he has to give up a young piece then he wants a bigger bang for his buck....

Wouldn't surprise me to see them start to entertain Hartman. They will probably lose him in the expansion draft. If they can land a big guy who is signed for more then 90 days, it might make sense.

I'd hate to give him up, but could come down to numbers.....unless you see the note about getting guys to agree to waive NTC/NMC for the expansion draft to be eligible and if NOT taken, the clause kicks right back in........
- SteveRain

They don't wan to deal Hartman and they won't expose him in expansion.

1. Impossible to know how his cap hit vs cap ceiling will be relative. Hopefully the cap will be a lot higher by that point.

2. You could say the same about #2 who has more miles on him and is only 1.5ish cheaper.

3. While a workout fanatic, you could also look at 81 who has managed to stay productive at age 38 while carrying a significant cap hit.

4. Who takes 7s place on the back end since everyone seems so hell bent on trading on him? 57? 6? 42? Remember, the point in trading him is to clear cap room so to take back nhl ready talent might not save you a helluva lot.
- SteveRain

How much the cap goes up over that time is sorta irrelevant, as every other player's salary will go up, accordingly too. The point was, do you want ti tie up a big chunk of cap space on an aging, slow Dman? (See Kimmo Timonen) Along with the rest of an aging core?

I agree--on Keith. He, too won't be any bargain in 2023. Which is why I said it's always a better move to trade a guy too soon, than too late.
I'm not advocating trading Keith...I think he still has good mileageleft on the tread (after he re-habs that knee). But, Seabrook is already noticeably slowing down.

Hossa's a genetic freak.

Who takes Seabrook's place is up tot the FO. That's their job.

LeBrun is getting it because what Bowman is saying is something he wants the other 29 teams to hear.

ANYONE assuming his statements that they likely won't to make a deal are anything but bargaining is insane. Think about it. If he came out and admitted: "We're pursuing a lot of trade options to acquire a top 6 forward."

1) It sets the bar of expectation of fans and the organization high—and he might not meet it
2) It possibly sends the wrong message to the team right now—a distraction
3) It underscores the tough position he's already in trying to get a deal
- John Jaeckel

He can plant all the seeds he wants but it's still pathetic Chicago media cant ever get an exclusive with him. instead it's talking points as the narrative in the articles is the same with a slightly different spin. And I'm not talking about post game recaps.

Oh well....I've come to accept it, hopefully others realize it as well.

They don't wan to deal Hartman and they won't expose him in expansion.
- John Jaeckel

I don't doubt it but they are going to run out of protective spaces very quickly in regards to 38 and expansion. he is eligible. How they get around that with 2,4,7,15,19,88,16,50 all having a clause will be quite the balancing act.

I keep on saying it but if you look at the actual coverage of this team from a beat writer perspective it's a joke. It really is. Myers, Jud are direct Hawk employees and thus everything you get from them you take with a grain of salt.

I stopped following Lazerus. Kuc is all over the board.....so I dont' have much coverage as a fan.

Furthermore, how ridiculously and SAD is it that LeBrun can get a 1 on 1 with Bowman and NO scribe can? Not one....not even a senior one, but Lebrun nationally has more insight on a team he doesn't even cover then every single scribe that does. If I'm their editor what the hell am I paying them for and all those travel expenses?
- SteveRain

I don't know if you subscribe to the Athletic but their coverage is the best of pretty much anyone local. Dietz at the Herald isn't bad either.

I don't doubt it but they are going to run out of protective spaces very quickly in regards to 38 and expansion. he is eligible. How they get around that with 2,4,7,15,19,88,16,50 all having a clause will be quite the balancing act.
- SteveRain

It's not the space that's the issue. They've got room for him. The issue is they need to expose two forwards and right now he and Kruger are the only ones that meet the qualifications to be exposed.

I don't doubt it but they are going to run out of protective spaces very quickly in regards to 38 and expansion. he is eligible. How they get around that with 2,4,7,15,19,88,16,50 all having a clause will be quite the balancing act.
- SteveRain

7F: 19, 88, 81, 15, 16, xx, xx
(72 is ineligible as this is his 2nd year as a pro)

3D: 2, 4, 7

1G: 50

38 very well could be one of the "xx"

How much the cap goes up over that time is sorta irrelevant, as every other player's salary will go up, accordingly too. The point was, do you want ti tie up a big chunk of cap space on an aging, slow Dman? (See Kimmo Timonen) Along with the rest of an aging core?

I agree--on Keith. He, too won't be any bargain in 2023. Which is why I said it's always a better move to trade a guy too soon, than too late.
I'm not advocating trading Keith...I think he still has good mileageleft on the tread (after he re-habs that knee). But, Seabrook is already noticeably slowing down.

Hossa's a genetic freak.

Who takes Seabrook's place is up tot the FO. That's their job.
- tompo1015[/quote

My point is

1. You are still in the cup winning/contending realistic window. Not a fringe playoff team but a legit contender. You have ZERO in house replacements for 7. None. To get out of his cap hit and replace him will mean taking back a high salaried D man. Have you seen you the market for D men and what they are asking for? it's absurb. Watch what that disaster in STL gets this summer.

2. 7 is arguably the most IMPORTANT guy in that room and ht's not even close. not 2. Not 19. It's 7.....that weighs a lot as you deal him, you shake up that room. This team as of now, doesn't require that.

There are bad cap hits all over this team. Arguably the only good deals right now for what they are getting vs what they are playing is 88 and 72, and maybe 15. Everyone else you could argue about their hit vs production.

I don't know if you subscribe to the Athletic but their coverage is the best of pretty much anyone local. Dietz at the Herald isn't bad either.
- HawkintheD

I follow both on twitter. Agreed. Met Scott when he was with ESPN and got shafted. Never met Dietz but enjoy his standing up to moronic Lazerus.

Tempted to subscribe to the athletic........

7F: 19, 88, 81, 15, 16, xx, xx
(72 is ineligible as this is his 2nd year as a pro)

3D: 2, 4, 7

1G: 50

38 very well could be one of the "xx"
- Slofire94

16 will be exposed. They pretty much have to meet the requirements. Unless Bowman picks at least one more forward. That leaves Hartman exposed.

It's not the space that's the issue. They've got room for him. The issue is they need to expose two forwards and right now he and Kruger are the only ones that meet the qualifications to be exposed.
- HawkintheD

Correct and that's why it'll be hard to NOT expose him as they have UFAs coming off the books, and unsigned RFAs.

Have to read up more on it.

7F: 19, 88, 81, 15, 16, xx, xx
(72 is ineligible as this is his 2nd year as a pro)

3D: 2, 4, 7

1G: 50

38 very well could be one of the "xx"
- Slofire94

Believe there is another option where you can keep an additional D man or a total of X number of guys. have to look it up.

I follow both on twitter. Agreed. Met Scott when he was with ESPN and got shafted. Never met Dietz but enjoy his standing up to moronic Lazerus.

Tempted to subscribe to the athletic........
- SteveRain

I finally did after seeing so many articles I wanted to read. I have no regrets.